Highlights

  • Walk village to village on the loveliest parts of the old Nakasendō Trail

  • Bathe in the thermal waters at a hot spring ryokan

  • Visit Matsumoto and see its famous castle

  • Visit the exquisitely preserved villages of Magome, Tsumago, and Narai

  • See beautifully crafted lacquerware in Kiso-Hirasawa

  • Hike country trails and quiet rural roads, with some gentle ascents and descents

The Nakasendō or 'Road Through the Central Mountains' was part of feudal Japan's network of highways. Travellers moving between Kyōto and Tōkyō took several days to travel the Nakasendō, staying overnight in post towns along the way. Today's visitors can walk sections of the original route by day and stay in local inns by night.

Our classic 5-day Nakasendō itinerary includes the best sections of the Kiso Valley portion of the Nakasendō Trail, following the same linear path from Magome through to Tsumago, Kiso-Fukushima, Narai, and Kiso-Hirasawa.

After visiting Kiso-Hirasawa, you will head to Matsumoto with the opportunity to visit one of Japan’s few remaining original castles, Matsumoto Castle, also called ‘Crow Castle’ due to its black exterior. 

Then, continue by train to one of the mountain towns of Komoro or Karuizawa, where you’ll enjoy a traditional ryokan stay. Your final day of walking is a beautifully remote walk from Karuizawa, descending through the forest to the town of Yokokawa. From Yokokawa, travel onward by train to Tōkyō.

You’re supported by our team in Kyōto, our local Tsumago office, and guided by our bespoke turn-by-turn walking instructions and detailed maps, created by our team of hikers for you. 

What is included

  • 4 nights at Japanese inns along the Nakasendo Trail
  • 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
  • Train tickets from Kyoto or Tokyo to the trail and from the trail to Tokyo
  • Train tickets for intermediate journeys on the Nakasendo Trail
  • Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions
  • Topographical maps
  • Local support by telephone
  • Our Preparing for your trip and travelling in Japan Guidebooks

What is not included

  • Flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Drinks and meals not included in itinerary
  • Local bus journeys which must be paid directly to the bus driver
  • Single room supplement(s) if required
  • Daily Luggage Transfer

Nakasendo self-guided walking 5 days

(subject to change until the booking has been finalized)

Day 1　Hike from Magome to Tsumago

We supply train tickets for your journey from Kyoto or from Tokyo to Nakatsugawa, including a ride on the world-famous Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Nagoya. At Nakatsugawa, you board a local bus for the short journey to Magome. Walk over Magome Pass to Tsumago, one of the best-preserved and most evocative of the Nakasendo post-towns. Spend the night at a family-run Minshuku in Tsumago or the nearby hamlet of O-Tsumago, with a delicious home-cooked Japanese dinner and breakfast included. After dinner, enjoy a stroll through the village streets in the magical quiet of the evening, wearing the yukata gown supplied by your inn.

Walking distance: 8.3km / 5.2 mi

Elevation gain: 326m / 1,069 feet of ascent and 430m / 1,410 feet of descent

Time required: About 3 hours

Accommodation: Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse)

Meals: Dinner

Day 2　Hike from Tsumago to Nojiri

The longest day on the trail is a beautiful and varied hike from Tsumago to Nojiri. Or choose the shorter alternative to Nagiso instead. The trail travels through small valleys and past forests of bamboo and Japanese cedar, through some of the least-developed scenery on the tour. Continue by train to Kiso-Fukushima. Stay at a lovely hot spring Ryokan set in a peaceful valley above the town. Complimentary transfer from the station is provided by the Ryokan). The Ryokan has lovely indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths.

Walking distance: 18.4km/ 11.5 mi
Elevation gain: 723m / 2,275 feet of ascent and 644m / 2,112 feet of descent
Time required: About 6 hours

We offer a shorter alternative of 1 hour (3.7km / 2.3 miles). You can choose which option you prefer on the day – no need to decide in advance!

Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn) or onsen hotel (hot spring hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3　Hike from Yabuhara to Narai on to Kiso-Hirasawa

We supply train tickets for the short journey from Kiso-Fukushima to Yabuhara, the starting point for the hike over the Torii-tōge Pass to Narai. Explore this atmospheric village before you continue on today’s journey to the small town of Kiso-Hirasawa, famous for its lacquerware. There are many small shops selling beautifully crafted tableware and furniture. From Kiso-Hirasawa, transfer by train to the castle town of Matsumoto; you’ll stay in the city area tonight. Your hosts will serve a home-cooked Japanese dinner and breakfast.

Walking distance:  8.7 km / 5.5 mi
Elevation gain: 344m / 1,128 feet of ascent and 270m / 885 feet of descent
Time required: About 4 hours

Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse) or ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4　Sightsee in Matsumoto and transfer to Karuizawa

After breakfast, walk the short distance to the small town of Kiso-Hirasawa, famous for its lacquerware. There are many small shops selling beautifully crafted tableware and furniture. Board a train at Kiso-Hirasawa station for your onward journey to Karuizawa or Komoro for your final overnight stay. Both locations have lovely inns with a real sense of history and fine Japanese baths. Ride first to Matsumoto where you can visit the famous castle before connecting onwards to your final stop – total travel time by train is around three hours, not including the optional break of journey in Matsumoto. Arrive at your accommodation in time for a wonderful dinner with local produce.

Accommodation: Ryokan (Travellers Inn)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5　Hike from Karuizawa to Yokokawa and transfer to Tokyo

After breakfast, your final walk on the Nakasendo Trail is from Karuizawa to Yokokawa. Leaving Karuizawa, the trail takes you over the Usui-toge Pass and down a gentle descent along one of the most beautiful sections of the Nakasendo, and certainly the least-developed. From Yokokawa, board the local train to Takasaki and change there for your ride on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Tokyo. The train journey takes around two hours, and you will arrive in Tokyo in the late afternoon or early evening.

Meals: Breakfast
Walking distance: 16.7km / 10 mi
Elevation gain: 372m / 1,220 feet of ascent and 862m / 2,828 feet of descent
Time required: About 5-6 hours

The walk can be shortened by 3.3km / 2 miles by a taxi ride at the start of the day.

 

Map:

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Traditional wooden buildings in the historic post town of Tsumago on the Nakasendo Trail, with a hiker walking along the peaceful, preserved street surrounded by forested mountains
Matsumoto Castle in Nagano, Japan – iconic black-painted samurai-era fortress surrounded by a moat, with scenic views of the Japanese Alps
Narai, a beautifully preserved Edo-period post town along Japan’s historic Nakasendo Trail























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